In a special rite at the NAV Center in Cornwall, Ontario, graduates of the so-called “COVID Troop” reflected on the unique nature of their education amid a global pandemic. Recruits began their adventure in February 2020 with onboard education with the Canadian Coast Guard in Halifax, followed by orientation education at the RCMP Depot in Regina, as it is popular for fishing officer recruits. However, when the RCMP depot was closed after the arrival of COVID-19, critical force compliance education was suspended and recruits were sent back to their residency communities to quarantine them with the rest of Canada.
Fortunately, adaptability and determination are strong markers of smart fishing officers and, after an initial era of isolation, the troop can retrain and complete their application education at the NAV Center in Cornwall under social estrangement guidelines. Graduates will now go through 30 months of hands-on education at local Conservation and Protection offices across Canada.